Trevor Noah has officially stepped back onto the South African comedy stage, bringing with him a bold new vision… a nationwide comedy movement designed to spotlight local talent, reignite live performances and remind audiences why laughter is one of the country’s greatest strengths.
South Africa (27 April 2026) – I attended a special (top secret) press junket… we were told that something “big” was coming. Something from New York. But we weren’t told what. We were seated in a room, Savanna branding all around us.
“It must be comedy,” I told a journalist next to me.
“But who is it?” he replied.
“Trevor, it must be Trevor,” I stated.
And I was spot on.
Trevor Noah, Eugene Khoza and Ntosh Madlingozi stepped up to the stage to annouce that the “game” is going to be commencing soon. A comedy show for the ages. Trevor called it his “Bafunny Bafunny” squad, although that’s not the official name. It’s actually called “South Africa’s Festival of Comedy”. And it’s served up by Savanna.
Covid “stopped” everything. Including stand up comedy in South African and the world. The laughter didn’t disappear but the spaces where it lived, breathed and connected people did. Now, that’s changing… and it’s coming back louder, prouder and more South African than ever before.
“It’s a revival. A renaissance of South Africa comedy. Making it what it was, while focusing on the future,” Eugene explained.
And that future is proudly local. “South Africa’s Festival of Comedy” is not trying to follow the traditional festival playbook. It’s flipping it on it’s head completely. Think sport but make it funny. Think national pride but with punchlines. This is being positioned as a “national call-up” to South Africa’s most underrated superpower… laughter. Trevor, stepping into the role of Lead Curator and Captain of this “SA National Team of Comedy”, has handpicked a line-up that blends established stars with rising voices. He is joined by Vice Captain, co-host of the What Now Podcast, Eugene, and Coach, sought-after stand-up comedian and MC, Ntosh. Their goal is simple but powerful: create a platform where talent isn’t just discovered but celebrated.
“Serving you the finest comedians that you may not know about yet. Giving them a platform.”
“It’s all about stand up comedy. A physical comedy show… there is nothing like it. A grand scale of stand up comedy that leaves you laughing until you cannot breathe,” Trevor said.
And he means it. This isn’t confined to a single night or a single stage. From May through to September, the build-up will roll out across the country with tour stops, squad announcements and behind-the-scenes content. Then, in Septemeber, Pretoria’s SunBet Arena will host the opening, followed by Cape Town’s GrandWest Casino.
But this is also not just about Savanna, or the Festival of Comedy, or the “Bafunny Bafunny” squad. It’s about comedy. South African comedy.
“Don’t wait for the big shows. Go to the smaller shows too. Support comedians. Make comedy funny again,” Eugene concluded.
Yes, you should absolutely go out there and support this festival. But you should also support all comedy (and live entertainment) in South Africa. Make comedy funny again. Make shows live again. And make the applause louder than it’s ever been!
Tickets for “South Africa’s Festival of Comedy” go live on 29 April at 9am, exclusively on Quicket.
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